Counterintelligence - Espionage - Spy Case

News:

Why a patriotic teen joined the Navy and then turned to espionage

 …Weinmann took the Tomahawk manuals to the Russian Embassy and met with a man who told Weinmann he was from that country's state department. Weinmann handed over the three-ring binder of documents and asked, in exchange, for citizenship, a train ticket and entry into college. The man told him to await a postcard that would give him further instructions. Months passed, and Weinmann realized he had goofed to give up the documents without receiving anything in return….(Virginian Pilot, 11 Dec 06)

Jilted love, not political intrigue, drove a Salem man to espionage

A broken heart, bruised ego and jaded view of military life caused a young sailor from Salem to desert the Navy and pass classified documents to a foreign government…Regardless, a military judge found Fire Control Technician 3rd Class Ariel Weinmann guilty of espionage, desertion and several other counts. Weinmann, 22, a graduate of West Salem High School, will have at least four years in prison to think about his actions….(Gannett News, 11 Dec 06)

US Navy spy gets 12 years

AN American sailor, who was accused of spying during visits to Bahrain and Mexico, has been jailed for 12 years…Russian Embassy officials in Bahrain have refused to comment on the issue, but initially told the GDN that they held a meeting about the case….(Gulf-Daily, 10 Dec 06)

Submarine sailor gets 12 years for espionage

…Fire Control Technician 3rd Class Ariel Weinmann pleaded guilty Monday to desertion, failure to obey a general order or regulation, espionage, copying classified information, destruction of military property and larceny….(Navy Times, 7 Dec 06)

U.S. Submariner Leaked Data

U.S. submariner Ariel Weinmann pleaded guilty to espionage in favor of some foreign state, which name he didn’t identify. Weinmann was spying for Russia, local media concluded...He could have possessed information about the Tomahawk missiles that are used at such submarines. When deserting the Navy, the petty officer stole a government computer with more than 30 secret files, including the personal files of submarine officers…..(Kommersant, 6 Dec 06)

Submariner sentenced to 12 years in prison for espionage

A Navy petty officer was sentenced to 12 years in prison for stealing a military laptop and peddling its contents to a foreign government. A military judge in Norfolk today also issued Petty Officer 3rd Class Ariel Weinmann of Oregon a dishonorable discharge. Weinmann pleaded guilty Monday to espionage, desertion and several more charges. He could have received life without parole. Weinmann had told the judge that he deserted the Navy in July of last year because the service did NOT meet his expectations….(AP, 6 Dec 06)

Psychiatrist: Submariner had no disorders to explain espionage
A Navy petty officer had NO psychiatric disorders to explain why he stole a military laptop and peddled its contents to a foreign government. That's according to a psychiatrist testified yesterday at the sailor's sentencing hearing…(WBDJ7, 6 Dec 06)

Alleged spy ordered deported

The tall, clean-cut man politely shook hands with his lawyers and said he hoped he could see them again before he was gone. "Congratulations. Thank you," he then told the government lawyers who had alleged he was a Russian spy living under a false name in Montreal for more than a decade….(Globe and Mail, 5 Dec 06)

WAVY-TV Video Report

Sailor admits to espionage and desertion during his court-martial at Naval Station Norfolk.
…The road to desertion for Ariel Weinmann began with his disappointment in the Navy. Today during his court-martial, the third class petty officer told a military judge, he thought the Navy would be more like its days in World War II and said "my expectations in the Navy were not met." …(WAVY, 5 Dec 06)

Navy submariner admits he offered military secrets
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Ariel J. Weinmann walked up to an embassy in Vienna, Austria, rang the bell and offered U.S. secrets to the person who met him in the foyer, he admitted in a military court Monday….(Virginian-Pilot, 5 Dec 06)

Judge concerned over espionage plea agreement

…The sentencing details of Weinmann’s plea agreement have not been released to the public or to O’Toole, Stackhouse said. O’Toole can sentence Weinmann to life in prison without the possibility of parole, reduction to E-1, forfeiture of pay and allowances and a dishonorable discharge, but under military law, Weinmann will serve the lesser of O’Toole’s sentence and the sentence negotiated in the plea deal…(Navy Times, 5 Dec 06)

US sailor pleads guilty to espionage, data theft
A US Navy sailor pleaded guilty Monday at a court-hearing in Norfolk, Virginia, to espionage, desertion, failing to properly safeguard and store classified information, copying classified information, communicating classified information to a person not entitled to receive it, and stealing and destroying a government computer….(Jurist, 4 Dec 06)

Sailor pleads guilty to espionage

...Petty Officer 3rd Class Ariel J. Weinmann, 22, of Salem, Ore., faces a sentence of life in prison without parole, a dishonorable discharge from the Navy and forfeiture of all pay. Under a plea agreement, Weinmann pleaded guilty to one count each of espionage, desertion, failing to properly safeguard and store classified information, copying classified information, communicating classified information to a person not entitled to receive it, and stealing and destroying a government computer. Weinmann pleaded guilty to trying to transmit classified information related to national defense to a representative of a foreign government on Oct. 19, 2005 while he was in or near Vienna, Austria….(AP, 4 Dec 06)

Bahrain-Russia spy link probe

Russian Embassy officials were expected to meet yesterday to discuss allegations that Russia may have obtained classified information on US Navy attack submarines during a meeting with an American sailor in Bahrain. New reports in the US claim that Russian intelligence obtained valuable secrets from US Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Ariel J Weinmann….(Gulf-Daily, 4 Dec 06)

Sailor to plead on secrets to Russia

… U.S. defense officials familiar with the case said Petty Officer Weinmann supplied Russian intelligence with a manual labeled "secret" that contained information about the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Albuquerque. He had worked as a fire control technician on the submarine before deserting in July 2005. The manual is considered sensitive because it reveals capabilities of Los Angeles-class submarines, like the Albuquerque, that could allow the Russians to locate and track the submarines…(Washington Times, 1 Dec 06)

Salem sailor will plead guilty to spying

…"The charges are kind of interesting," said Weinmann's civilian defense lawyer, Phillip Stackhouse of Jacksonville, N.C., noting that his client's case is a national security matter. "But aside from that, it's a very routine plea agreement."…(Oregonian, 29 Nov 06)

Lawyer expects data-theft plea

A submarine crewman accused of stealing a Navy laptop and peddling its classified contents to an undisclosed foreign government plans to plead guilty next week to some of the six charges against him, his civilian lawyer said Tuesday…(AP, 29 Nov 06)

Sailor to plead guilty in spy case

….(Navy Times, 28 Nov 06)

Crewman may plead guilty in espionage case

….(Statesman Journal, 29 Nov 06)

Submariner Will Plead Guilty In Laptop Theft

A Groton-based submarine crewman accused of stealing a Navy laptop computer and peddling its classified contents to an undisclosed foreign government plans to plead guilty next week to some of the six charges against him, his civilian lawyer said Tuesday. Petty Officer 3rd Class Ariel J. Weinmann, 22, of Salem, Ore., is scheduled for court-martial Monday…(The Day, 29 Nov 06)

Navy submariner will plead guilty in espionage case

A Navy submariner accused of espionage and desertion has agreed to plead guilty next Monday before a military judge, forgoing a trial. Petty Officer 3rd Class Ariel J. Weinmann was scheduled for a court-martial next week but will instead plead guilty in a Norfolk Naval Station court to some of the six charges against him, Weinmann's civilian attorney said Monday…Weinmann, 21, of Salem, Ore., has been in the Norfolk Naval Station brig since his arrest in March. He is charged with espionage, desertion, failing to properly secure classified information, copying classified information, communication of classified information to a foreign agent, and stealing and destroying a laptop computer. The Navy at one point had considered the death penalty against Weinmann but rejected it for undisclosed reasons. The maximum punishment for espionage under military code is life in prison…(Virginian-Pilot, 28 Nov 06)

Lawyer: Navy submariner to plead guilty in espionage case

A submariner accused of stealing a Navy laptop and peddling its classified contents to an undisclosed foreign government plans to plead guilty next week to some of the six charges against him, his civilian lawyer said Tuesday. Petty Officer 3rd Class Ariel J. Weinmann, 22, of Salem, Ore., is scheduled for court-martial Monday at Norfolk Naval Station, where he was being held in the brig. The fire control technician was stationed aboard the Connecticut-based submarine USS Albuquerque….(AP, 28 Nov 06)

Court-martial for Salem sailor delayed

…Fire Control Technician Third Class Ariel Weinmann of Salem faces three counts of espionage as well as three other charges. His court-martial had been scheduled to begin Monday, but it has been moved to Dec. 4….(KTVZ, 12 Nov 06)

New trial date for US sailor

…Petty Officer 3rd Class Ariel J Weinmann is accused of taking a US Navy laptop loaded with classified information and peddling its contents to an undisclosed foreign government during meetings in Bahrain, Mexico and Austria. He was due to stand trial on November 13, but the date has been moved to December 4....(Gulf-Daily, 9 Nov 06)

Court-martial for sailor accused of spying postponed
The court-martial date for a petty officer accused of espionage has been moved from Nov. 13 to Dec. 4…Ariel Weinmann has been charged with espionage, desertion, larceny, failure to obey a lawful order and destruction of military property. Navy officials say he deserted the attack submarine Albuquerque in October 2004 and traveled to Mexico City and Vienna, Austria to attempt to pass classified information to a representative of an unnamed foreign government. Navy officials say Weinmann also sought to pass classified information in Bahrain before he deserted….(Navy Times, 6 Nov 06)

Nov. 13 trial set for submariner accused of spying

A Navy submariner accused of espionage and desertion was arraigned Wednesday at Norfolk Naval Station. Petty Officer 3rd Class Ariel J. Weinmann said little during the brief court appearance, answering "Yes, sir" to a military judge's questions. The judge allowed him to delay entering a plea, and a trial was set for Nov. 13….(Hampton Roads, 7 Sep 06)

Trial date set for sailor charged with espionage

…Brown said Weinmann, 21, waived the formal reading of the charges by the military judge, Capt. Daniel O’Toole, and will be tried on three counts of espionage, along with one count each of desertion, larceny, failure to obey a lawful order, copying classified information and destruction of military property…..(Navy Times, 6 Sep 06)

Sailor faces November court-martial for espionage, desertion
…Petty Officer 3rd Class Ariel J. Weinmann of Salem, Ore., was arraigned Wednesday. He waived the reading of the charges, including three counts of espionage, and did not enter a plea. The judge, Capt. Daniel O’Toole, set a Nov. 13 trial date. …(AP, 6 Sep 06)

Salem Sailor Will Face Espionage and Desertion Charges in Upcoming Court-Martial

The arraignment for a Salem, Oregon Navy sailor accused of stealing a government laptop computer full of classified information and selling the contents to a foreign government was set for Wednesday, according to sources with the U.S. Navy….(Salem News, 6 Sep 06)

Oregon sailor to face court-martial for espionage, desertion

…Petty Officer 3rd Class Ariel J. Weinmann, of Salem, Oregon, was not expected to enter a plea at the afternoon hearing, which is a formal reading of the charges, including three counts of espionage, said Ted Brown…(AP, 6 Sep 06)

Formal charges to be brought against Weinmann
Formal charges will be brought in a Norfolk military courtroom Wednesday against a submarine sailor charged with espionage, desertion and several other offenses, the Navy said. Fire Control Technician 3rd Class Ariel J. Weinmann, 21, is expected to be charged with three counts of espionage, desertion, larceny, failure to obey a lawful order, copying classified information and destruction of military property — the same charges preferred following a July 26 preliminary hearing by the general court-martial convening authority for the case, Adm. John Nathman…(Navy Times, 5 Sep 06)

Sailor accused of espionage will face general court-martial

A Norfolk-based soldier is still behind bars Saturday night, months after being charged with spying. Petty Officer 3rd Class Ariel Weinmann faces charges of espionage and desertion. Police arrested him at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in March.  Weinmann has been in the brig ever since, and he will face a general court martial. Charges of desertion and espionage can carry the death penalty in a time of war, but the Navy's head prosecutor reportedly will not be seeking a capitol sentence….(WVEC, 26 Aug 06)

Sailor to face court-martial

…Petty Officer 3rd Class Ariel J. Weinmann, who has been in custody in Norfolk since shortly after his arrest in March, faces multiple charges that include deserting from a submarine on which he served, stealing a computer and delivering "classified confidential and secret information" to an unnamed foreign government on three occasions in Bahrain, Austria and Mexico…..(Times-Dispatch, 26 Aug 06)

Submariner accused of espionage, desertion faces general court martial
…According to a document the Navy released Friday, Weinmann was charged April 18 with desertion, failing to properly safeguard classified material, and communicating classified information relating to national defense to a representative of a foreign government….(Virginian-Pilot, 25 Aug 06)

Sailor Faces Trial on Espionage Charges

….(AP, 25 Aug 06)

Navy: Oregon Sailor Passed National Defense Information to Foreign Government Officials in Austria And Mexico

The Navy has released new details surrounding the alleged espionage and desertion case against former Salem resident Ariel J. Weinmann…..(Salem-News, 18 Aug 06)

Heritage Foundation Official Fingered as Possible Spy Recruit

...Keyser identified a senior research fellow at the conservative think tank, John Tkacik Jr., as "ripe for recruitment" in a May 2004 e-mail to a Taiwanese intelligence agent with whom Keyser had an intimate relationship, Isabelle Cheng…(New York Sun, 14 Aug 06)

U.S. Sailor Accused of Espionage

…The Navy said Petty Officer 3rd Class Ariel Weinmann was successful in giving the classified information to a foreign government before he destroyed the computer….(St. Petersburg Times, 14 Aug 06)

Death penalty ruled out for sailor on spy charge

The death penalty has been ruled out for a US sailor accused of passing secrets to a foreign power during clandestine meetings in Bahrain, Mexico and Austria. But 21-year-old submariner Ariel J Weinmann could face life in jail if found guilty of spying, sources told the GDN yesterday. "No-one considers this a capital case, even though desertion and espionage in times of war can carry the death penalty,"….(Gulf Daily, 13 Aug 06)

Sailor facing three counts of espionage

It wasn't his alleged desertion of the submarine Albuquerque last July that brought down Ariel J. Weinmann on March 26. Rather, it was the $4,000 cash, three CD-ROMs, an external computer storage device and memory cards for storing digital images that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents found on the 21-year-old petty officer third class, now facing three charges of espionage….(AP, 12 Aug 06)

Sailor charged with spying

…Weinmann faces a possible court-martial -- and up to life in prison -- on multiple charges that include deserting from the submarine USS Albuquerque, stealing a computer from the submarine and delivering "classified confidential and secret information" to an unnamed foreign government on three occasions in Bahrain, Austria and Mexico….(Times Dispatch, 12 Aug 06)

Accused spy carried cash, secret files, agents say

…Before the plane's arrival, customs had run passengers' names through a database listing outstanding arrest warrants. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agent Allen Brock knew only that the Navy wanted to arrest the 21-year-old petty officer third class on a charge of deserting the submarine Albuquerque last July…..(Virginian-Pilot, 12 Aug 06)

Navy will let media listen to recording of sailor's hearing

…Ariel J. Weinmann, 21, faced charges of desertion, wrongly possessing classified information and delivering classified information to a foreign government agent at a court proceeding known as an Article 32 hearing in Norfolk on July 26….(Virginian-Pilot, 11 Aug 06)

Sailor From Oregon Charged With Espionage

A U.S. Navy petty officer has been charged with stealing classified military information from his submarine and attempting to pass it to foreign governments in an espionage scheme, Navy officials said yesterday.....(Washington Post, 10 Aug 06)

Sailor charged with spying

The Navy has charged a sailor with spying for Russia as part of a military espionage case involving a nuclear attack submarine…..(Washington Times, 10 Aug 06)

Father dismisses ''speculation'' on espionage charges against sailor

As Ariel J. Weinmann sits in solitary confinement in a Norfolk brig, accused of espionage on three continents, and news outlets around the world present contradictory accounts, the sailor's family in Oregon is left wondering what went wrong.....(Virginian-Pilot, 10 Aug 06)

Salem man faces three counts of espionage

A Salem noncommissioned officer who deserted the Navy last year is accused of taking a Navy laptop computer loaded with classified information and selling its contents to a foreign government, the Navy confirmed Wednesday...(Salem Statesman Journal, 10 Aug 06)

Was the Sailor Actually a Spy?

Ariel J. Weinmann seemed to be a patriotic high school student. He once wrote a letter to his local newspaper in Salem, Ore., complaining about classmates who didn't take their hats off when the national anthem was played. And before joining the Navy he collected over 100 letters and cards from elementary school students to send to the crew of the USS Constellation aircraft carrier as a thank-you for their service. Today, however, Weinmann sits in a Navy brig in Norfolk, Va., accused for the moment of espionage, which, if he were to be convicted, could result in him spending the rest of his life in prison......(Time magazine, 9 Aug 06)

Navy sailor from Salem accused of spying

A Navy sailor who grew up in Salem and is accused of spying could face the death penalty, authorities said.....(Salem KGW-TV, 9 Aug 06)

  KGW report

Alleged spy’s target ‘not Israel’

The “foreign nation” cited in espionage charges against a U.S. Navy sailor is “definitely not Israel,” a Navy official said….(Jewish Telegraphic Agency, 10 Aug 06)

US Navy says Weinmann was not an Israeli spy
The US Navy has categorically denied that Petty Officer Ariel J. Weinmann was spying for Israel, The Jerusalem Post has learned. According to a Navy official, reports that Weinmann was an Israeli spy are "absolutely not true."....(Jerusalem Post, 9 Aug 06)

Report: US sailor spied for Israel

A US Navy sailor, Ariel J. Weinmann, is suspected of spying for Israel and has been held in prison for four months, according to an article published Monday in the Saudi daily Al-Watan. It reported that Weinmann is being held at a military base in Virginia on suspicion of espionage and desertion. According to the navy, Weinmann was apprehended on March 26 "after it was learned that he had been listed as a deserter by his command." Though initial information released by the navy makes no mention of it, Al-Watan reported that he was returning from an undisclosed "foreign country."….(Jerusalem Post, 9 Aug 06)

Navy says sailor in brig stole laptop, gave out classified info

…The Navy's charges depict Petty Officer 3rd Class Ariel J. Weinmann as a sailor who stole a Navy laptop computer, deserted his ship for more than eight months and traveled the globe, both attempting to give and actually delivering classified defense information to an undisclosed foreign government….(Virginian-Pilot, 9 Aug 06)

Russia Possibly Involved in U.S. Navy Spy Scandal

A U.S. sailor with access to sensitive military data has been charged with spying. …(MosNews, 9 Aug 06)

Sailor facing espionage charges for passing secrets
…As a fire control technician, Ariel Weinmann's job was to fire the navy's most sophisticated weapons, off of one of it's most heavily classified ships... The USS Albuquerque.. A Los Angeles class submarine...(WAVY, 9 Aug 06)

Father of sailor facing espionage charges talks about his son

Sailor facing espionage charges for passing secrets

Petty officer held in secret for 4 months

A petty officer has been in the Norfolk Naval Station brig for more than four months facing espionage, desertion and other charges, but the Navy has refused to release details of the case. The case against Fire Control Technician 3rd Class Ariel J. Weinmann is indicative of the secrecy surrounding the Navy military court here, where public affairs and trial court officials have denied access to basic information including the court docket – a listing of cases to be heard. After months of requests, the Navy this week provided The Virginian-Pilot with Weinmann’s name, rank and the charges he faces.....(Virginian-Pilot, 4 Aug 06)